Exploring around Australia is the big thing for many retirees, and rural doctors have some useful tips for staying safe while travelling rural and remote areas of the country.
‘Summer is coming to an end, and the annual migration of “grey nomads” (over 55 year old travellers) north is well underway,’ said Dr RT Lewandowski, President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia (RDAA).
‘With tens of thousands making their way across the country at any one time it’s vital that they understand the potential limitations of amenities and availability in rural and remote areas,’ he said. ‘Particularly if this is someone’s first time, the lack of phone reception, after-hours health and pharmacy services, and access to fuel, food and water retailers can come as a shock.
‘Many a grey nomad has had to present to emergency at a rural hospital because they have run out of an important medication. Many are also brought in to hospitals by ambulances after a medical incident, a vehicle accident or a slip and fall,’ said Dr Lewandowski.
‘Here are some really good tips for staying as healthy as possible when travelling in rural and remote areas.’
Before you set out
- Have a thorough health check with your doctor and bring a copy of your notes if you have any conditions that other doctors may need to know about.
- Fill the prescriptions you require before you go and have a plan in place for refilling them. Many remote towns do not have immediate access to full service pharmacies.
- Check any medication you have for storage instructions. The outback heat can be intense and the temperature inside a van or car may rise beyond the recommended levels for safe storage.
- Have a dental and optical check.
- Take a first aid course and pack a fully equipped first-aid kit.
- Take out ambulance cover. Medicare does not cover many emergency medical transport costs so you need ambulance cover to protect from unexpected costs.
- Keep track of where the nearest emergency doctor or pharmacy is located.
While travelling
- Stay connected – mobile phone coverage can be limited. A portable satelite internet or phone service can save lives.
- Prepare and plan your trip – it is extremely common for people to misjudge the fuel availability and opening hours in remote areas. Running out of fuel can leave you trapped on the side of the road for many hours. Make sure you have additional fuel and water with you at all times.
- Stay safe around your van – install a reversing camera (you really don’t want to run over your partner… no matter how much they may be driving you crazy!), keep the maintenance up to date, carry an extra spare tyre, and install appropriate breakaway and stability systems.
- Driver training – make sure both of you can drive your vehicle/trailer. If something happens to the lone driver, it can be very expensive to ship your RV home!
- If you are having a big driving day, ensure you stop every two hours to take a break from driving and to get the circulation going in your legs.
‘It is fantastic that so many retirees are enjoying exploring this great country of ours. We just want to see them as safe and healthy as possible while they are doing it,’ Dr Lewandowski said.
‘If you need health care, our doctors are highly skilled and ready to assist, but we don’t really want you to have to get to know us in an emergency department. So plan well and make good choices to stay as safe as you can on the road.’
